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Toshiba Unveils New Tablet Computer with Larger Screen and Google Android Operating System

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Toshiba Corp. is planning to release a new tablet computer, the Toshiba Tablet, which will feature a larger 10.1-inch screen and run on the forthcoming version of Google Inc.'s Android operating system, called Honeycomb. This new device is designed to take advantage of the tablet's larger screen, allowing applications to adjust and present information differently. The Toshiba Tablet will be showcased at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and is expected to roll out in the United States by the end of June, with a competitive price tag similar to the iPad.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Toshiba Tablet features a 10.1-inch touchscreen, slightly larger than Apple Inc.'s iPad, and will include a version of Google Android optimized for tablets.
  • The device will have a forthcoming version of Android, called Honeycomb, which will let applications adjust to take advantage of the larger screen.
  • Toshiba's Tablet will include an Nvidia Tegra 2 mobile processor, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, and a 5-megapixel rear camera.
  • The tablet will have an HDMI port to connect to high-definition television and play Flash videos, a feature the iPad cannot.
  • Toshiba's director of product marketing, Phil Osako, stated that the device will be the first in a family of tablets the company plans to release.
  • The tablet will include Wi-Fi for online access, but initially won't have the ability to access wireless carriers' data networks.

Statistics:

  • The Toshiba Tablet's screen measures 10.1 inches diagonally, compared to 9.7 inches on the iPad.
  • The device will have a price tag competitive with the iPad, which costs $499 to $829 (U.S.).
  • The Toshiba Tablet is expected to be released in the United States by the end of June.
  • Nadine Taher, Nokia's manager of mobile attachment and deployment, envisions that 100 million tablet devices will be sold by the end of 2011 (Source: "Tablet PCs: The Next IT Opportunity" by Nokia).
  • Andy Rubin, Google's mobile head, announced that Honeycomb will enable applications to have multiple views and present information differently depending on whether they're running on a phone or a tablet.

Sources:

  • Toshiba Corp.
  • 2011 Toronto Star. All rights reserved.
  • Google Inc.
  • Apple Inc.
  • International Consumer Electronics Show

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